CHARD & District Swimming Club have been taking part in the Southern Junior League competition over the last three months, for swimmers aged nine to 12.

Their success this year earned them eighth place overall out of the 27 clubs taking part, and a place in the A Final – a feat the club has not achieved since 2005.

The final took place at Weston-super-Mare and Chard held their own, gaining many results above their seeded position.

Winning performances came from Jamie Pullinger (12) and Bea Brett (10) who were the only two Chard members to achieve top three positions – Pullinger in the 12 year boys’ 50m fly (third) and Brett in the 10 year girls’ 50m backstroke (third).

Hope Horsfield also achieved the club silver speed badge for swimming her 50m freestyle event in under 36 seconds.

Special mention should also be made of Iain Ross who despite nursing a broken arm, took part in both 12 year boys’ team relays, swimming with a plaster cast and waterproof cover.

It was the final year for the current 12-year-olds taking part in the league, and the club would like to thank the following local swimmers for representing them over the last four years – Jamie Pullinger, Paul Harrison, Iain Ross, Susan Ross, Daniella Edge, Florence Swan, and Hope Horsfield.

Junior League badges are awarded by the club for the cumulative number of galas a swimmer is selected for and swim in.

A Junior League medal has been awarded to Jamie Pullinger for swimming in all 12 galas over the last four years.

Blue badges, awarded for nine galas, were collected by Daniella Edge, Susan Ross, Ella Harvey, Tamsin Edge, Elisha Hawkins, Iain Ross and Paul Harrison.

Red badges, awarded for six galas, went to Abi Bonning, Florence Swan, Carrie Lewis, Ryan Adair, Liam Mathieson, Leo Kindred, Henry Taswell, Barnaby Down, Lewis Pearson, and Tom Simpson.

Yellow badges, for three galas, were handed to Nancy Doble, Flora McIlroy, Xanthe Dyer, Helen Underwood, Jess Fowler, Jess Patch, Megan Herbert, Hope Horsfield, Simon Davis, Louis Jones and Jamie Hannaford. A club spokesperson said: “A big thank you to all the team helpers without whom the event could not be supported.

“Appreciation goes to Richard Edge (first year as team manager), Karen Adair, Liz Simpson, Richard Harvey, Claire Ross, June Turner, Sarah Brett who organised the transport, and others who supported the Club in hosting the second round gala.”

Junior Squad – Boys: Jamie Pullinger, Paul Harrison, Iain Ross, Barnaby Down, Tom Simpson, Ben Greenslade, Lewis Pearson, Charlie Kendall, Henry Taswell, Leo Kindred, Ryan Adair, Liam Mathieson, Louis Fendall, Joss Copeman, Louis Jones, Simon Davis, Oliver Bright, Girls: Daniella Edge, Susan Ross, Hope Horsfield, Florence Swan, Tamsin Edge, Carrie Lewis, Ella Harvey, Elisha Hawkins, Bea Brett, Jessica Patch, Abi Bonning, Ella Hawkins, Nancy Doble, Daisy Brett, Flora McIlroy, Xanthe Dyer, Jessica Fowler, Megan Herbert, Helen Underwood Anyone interested in joining the club can visit the website chardswimming.org The club has an open afternoon arranged at Chard pool (3.30pm) on Sunday, July 17 with coach John Farrant.

All six years’ plus welcome to come along for a free taster session.